(Dover, DE – April 16, 2026) – A record-high more than 250 new physicians will join Delaware hospitals and health systems this July as a result of Graduate Medical Education investments, the Delaware Healthcare Association (DHA) announced Thursday.
Delaware’s six acute care hospital systems have active programs that strengthen the physician training pipeline and support long-term workforce sustainability across the state. The commitment is across the continuum from cultivating interest among middle school students to supporting Undergraduate and Graduate Medical Education and providing the top-notch environments for practicing clinicians. Graduate Medical Education, or GME, is the phase of medical training after medical school when doctors train as residents and fellows. Each hospital’s residency program is reflective of the community served with unique program offerings.
“With over 30,000 employees, our nationally ranked hospitals are the backbone of the Delaware healthcare system. Our members continue to play a vital role in nurturing the next generation of doctors to meet the demands of our growing and aging population,” said Brian Frazee, President & CEO of the Delaware Healthcare Association. “Studies show that most physicians stay in the community where they train, so we see Match Day as a win-win for our healthcare workforce and Delaware.”
GME programs are critical to strengthening Delaware’s healthcare workforce and enhancing access to care. While residents are training in Delaware, they help care for thousands of patients, expanding appointment availability.
Studies show that physicians tend to stay and practice in the states where they are trained, which is why Delaware hospital GME programs are vital to physician access in the First State. In the last five years, close to 300 physicians have stayed to practice in Delaware as a result of these GME programs with nearly 200 specializing in primary care. With a primary care shortage across the nation and here in Delaware, hospital GME programs are boosting access to primary care.
Federal funding to support GME programs is capped, leaving hospitals to fund any additional slots beyond the caps. Statewide, Delaware hospitals provide nearly $70 million to fund GME programs yearly, and support more than 100 GME training programs statewide, according to a recent DHA member survey.
With Delaware home to the 5th oldest population and the 6th fastest-growing population in the nation, a strong healthcare workforce is essential.
On Match Day, which is held each year in March, medical students are matched with their hospitals for physician residency, the next step to becoming practicing clinicians. Below are the 2026 highlights by system:
Bayhealth – This year, Bayhealth matched with 33 new physicians across Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, General Surgery and Emergency Medicine, along with five fellows in Gastroenterology, Hematology and Medical Oncology and Sports Medicine. With each new class, Bayhealth is strengthening access to both primary and specialty care in central and southern Delaware and investing in the future of healthcare.
Beebe Healthcare – Beebe Healthcare marked a milestone matching with 14 physicians. The Family Medicine Residency matched with six physicians who recently finished medical school. New this year is a transitional year residency program for doctors to train before they go onto specialty areas which will welcome eight transitional year resident physicians. Additionally, there are two pharmacy residents (also a new program) and five students from PCOM as core clinical campus students.
ChristianaCare – ChristianaCare will welcome more than 100 new trainees as residents and fellows this July. ChristianaCare, the largest academic medical center between Baltimore and Philadelphia, has 38 Graduate Medical Education programs for physicians, pharmacists, podiatrists, dentists and oral and maxillofacial surgeons. ChristianaCare is the Delaware branch campus of Sidney Kimmel Medical College and the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Nemours Children’s Health – Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware has been matching residents for more than two decades. This year, Nemours will welcome 24 new categorical pediatrics residents, two child neurology residents, two pediatric physical medicine and rehabilitation residents, and five internal medicine – pediatrics residents.
Saint Francis Hospital – Saint Francis Hospital, part of Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic, welcomed six Family Medicine residents on Match Day. The three-year residency program will begin on July 1, and upon completion, the graduates will become board-certified by the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM).
TidalHealth – TidalHealth plans to welcome a total of 76 residents and fellows for the 2026–2027 academic year, reflecting continued growth across its Graduate Medical Education programs. Programs are based out of TidalHealth in Salisbury, but residents rotate through TidalHealth Nanticoke in Seaford. This includes 49 residents across Anesthesiology (4), Family Medicine (4), General Surgery (6), Internal Medicine (15), Neurology (4), Obstetrics and Gynecology (4), Psychiatry (3), and Transitional Year (6), as well as 27 fellows in Cardiovascular Disease (4), Critical Care (1), Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism (2), Gastroenterology (2), Healthcare Administration, Leadership, and Management (1), Hematology and Medical Oncology (2), Hospice and Palliative Medicine (2), Infectious Disease (1), Nephrology (3), Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine (3), Rheumatology (2), and Sleep Medicine (2). Additional program growth is anticipated pending accreditation, including Orthopaedic Surgery Residency (3) and Geriatric Medicine Fellowship (2).
About the Delaware Healthcare Association
The Delaware Healthcare Association (DHA) advances health in Delaware through collaborative policies and partnerships. DHA represents the First State’s hospitals, health systems, and other healthcare-related organizations, which include all of Delaware’s acute care, post-acute care, behavioral health, rehabilitation, and children’s hospitals. Our vision is to Make the First State First in Health.